Training Saturday 12/3

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Back from the freezing to a warm Carrington today.All present bar Boateng( don't know if his wife has given birth yet),Milner also involved for a while plus AJ who came out later for a strong work out with Milner.

Mario was first out and was soon joined by the doc.Mario was sat on a set of small goals using 2 balls as footstools and the doc came over to look into his eyes( no comments please) and check him out.I am sure he was fine.Kolo back with the group again after yesterday training with the EDS.Abdul Razak also involved.

All sorts of routine stuff for starters to get into the session before a little football which initially was one touch with the aim of 7 completed passes equalling a point.Carminati varied the games to 2 touch,all in etc to keep it varied( and confuse the players).After about 20 minutes or so the team from Thursday went inside. Dzeko and Kolarov knocked a ball arround for a while and then sat and watched the game that carried on.

Loads of EDS players came over to make the numbers up.Guidetti,Veseli,A Mancini,McDermott.What I saw then was a very competitive game and quite a physical one as well. No silly head on or lunging challenges but physical and no surprise that Vieira isnt shy when games get like that.Neither is Nigel of course and I certainly wouldnt want him going for the ball from behind me.Razak is quite strong as well but overall no quarter was given.

Goals that I can remember from Carlos.Veseli thought he had him but a slightly lucky bounce and Carlos smashed it home and a goal from A.Mancini (I had forgotten he was there) levelled by a pen from Jo after Vieira bought a decision and another goal from somebody I missed. Nigel scored a beauty from a Carlos cutback and was gutted when it was disallowed because Carlos had been offside.The regular call of golden goal came from Kidd and this time it was Boyata who smashed it in.One point I would make after watching this is that Carlos, whilst not being great,was putting a good effort in. He isn't always the 100% trainer as has been recorded by others before but he was giving it a good go today.

Everybody in then except for AJ and Milner who had missed the strong contact session who stayed for a final shooting session at Joe and Stu. After 2 or 3 efforts each Joe shouted "where the f... have these two been" as balls were flying into the net from 20 yards. Milner especially impressive.Joe started to get a few great saves in before Mancini decided he had done enough and sent him inside.

No MJ!

[blues2win]

Obviously good news about AJ. Sounds like he might be back after the international break? Any chance of Milner playing tomorrow? Just the sort of game for him and Yaya could really do with a rest in my view.

[BadKompany]

Cheers Doug,great news about AJ and Milner.Razak maybe on the bench tomorrow?

MJ's continued abscence is a concern,i'm beginning to fear the dream may be over....

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Obviously good news about AJ. Sounds like he might be back after the international break? Any chance of Milner playing tomorrow? Just the sort of game for him and Yaya could really do with a rest in my view.

I thought I saw on SkySports that Milner was out for Sunday so that would mean he has a chance:) I doubt it though although he looked fine.

[Crossie]

We could sure do with some freshness. Although 2 players coming back from long/mid term injuries probably arent going to be all that fresh!

[The Foggy Blue]

AJ coming back would give us a massive lift. We need it.

[Goataldo]

AJ good news, MJ bad news.

Can't wait to see Nige bossing the midfield soon. We need more inspirational attitudes on the pitch. Tevez and Nige to score in a two nil win the morra.